Benjamin X. Wretlind
@emotethis.net
Writer 1st. bxwretlind.com He/Him. Researching how emotional intelligence shapes storytelling. Founder of Emote This (emotethis.net). Helping writers understand the emotional patterns behind strong fiction. Bob Ross fanboy.
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What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers
Emotional intelligence won’t get you published, but it will help you write characters who feel real and craft emotional arcs that resonate. Learn how the ability-based model of emotional inte…
emotethis.net
Emotional intelligence won’t get you published.
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
#BluePitHype
My No. 1 piece of advice is to have fun. Find creative ways to pitch your story. Interact with others. Meet new author friends.
Agent likes can thrill you (I know they do for me), but they’re no guarantee of success, so keep the mindset that this is a party, not a job interview.
My No. 1 piece of advice is to have fun. Find creative ways to pitch your story. Interact with others. Meet new author friends.
Agent likes can thrill you (I know they do for me), but they’re no guarantee of success, so keep the mindset that this is a party, not a job interview.
Welcome to the 4th day of #BluePitHype!
DAY FOUR: Advice Share
Share your best advice for pitching, querying, and promoting your work overall!
We will also share our own below!
2 days left until #BluePit on Jan 13th!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Writers #AmQuerying #GameDev #Comics #TTRPG
DAY FOUR: Advice Share
Share your best advice for pitching, querying, and promoting your work overall!
We will also share our own below!
2 days left until #BluePit on Jan 13th!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Writers #AmQuerying #GameDev #Comics #TTRPG
January 11, 2026 at 3:03 PM
#BluePitHype
My No. 1 piece of advice is to have fun. Find creative ways to pitch your story. Interact with others. Meet new author friends.
Agent likes can thrill you (I know they do for me), but they’re no guarantee of success, so keep the mindset that this is a party, not a job interview.
My No. 1 piece of advice is to have fun. Find creative ways to pitch your story. Interact with others. Meet new author friends.
Agent likes can thrill you (I know they do for me), but they’re no guarantee of success, so keep the mindset that this is a party, not a job interview.
Three of my books started with a random thought/line, including the current WIP. So, I'd guess you'd say "very loose plot idea."
What comes first for you when developing a new story: character, plot, or something else? I get a glimpse of a plot line and go from there #writingq #WritingCommunity
January 11, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Three of my books started with a random thought/line, including the current WIP. So, I'd guess you'd say "very loose plot idea."
Reviewed this a few years ago with an interview. bxwretlind.com/blog/2022/02...
January 11, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Reviewed this a few years ago with an interview. bxwretlind.com/blog/2022/02...
Starting with the 2nd book in the Transit series, I made it a point to be a xenobiologist. The aliens are, dare I say, evolutionary supported?
If you get a chance, read The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum.
If you get a chance, read The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum.
Day 11
Time for something different, and far, far away... Aliens!!👽 Whether the stories take place across galaxies, or maybe a visitor/invader landed, all space creatures are welcome today!
#Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary
Time for something different, and far, far away... Aliens!!👽 Whether the stories take place across galaxies, or maybe a visitor/invader landed, all space creatures are welcome today!
#Writing #WritingPrompts #Critterary
January 11, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Starting with the 2nd book in the Transit series, I made it a point to be a xenobiologist. The aliens are, dare I say, evolutionary supported?
If you get a chance, read The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum.
If you get a chance, read The Zoologist's Guide to the Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal About Aliens--and Ourselves by Arik Kershenbaum.
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 276:
Use dialogue to break up narrative. It doesn't have to be much, but it helps to have a section of dialogue once every four or five pages...
Use dialogue to break up narrative. It doesn't have to be much, but it helps to have a section of dialogue once every four or five pages...
January 11, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Unsolicited writing advice, no. 276:
Use dialogue to break up narrative. It doesn't have to be much, but it helps to have a section of dialogue once every four or five pages...
Use dialogue to break up narrative. It doesn't have to be much, but it helps to have a section of dialogue once every four or five pages...
"This research paper ain't gonna write itself."
Someone probably said that in the 1960s, and here we are with LLMs...large lying machines. #Academia is going downhill.
I shudder think of what the first Gen Alpha dissertation is going to look like.
#writesky #WritingCommunity
Someone probably said that in the 1960s, and here we are with LLMs...large lying machines. #Academia is going downhill.
I shudder think of what the first Gen Alpha dissertation is going to look like.
#writesky #WritingCommunity
January 11, 2026 at 3:30 PM
"This research paper ain't gonna write itself."
Someone probably said that in the 1960s, and here we are with LLMs...large lying machines. #Academia is going downhill.
I shudder think of what the first Gen Alpha dissertation is going to look like.
#writesky #WritingCommunity
Someone probably said that in the 1960s, and here we are with LLMs...large lying machines. #Academia is going downhill.
I shudder think of what the first Gen Alpha dissertation is going to look like.
#writesky #WritingCommunity
Emotional intelligence won’t get you published.
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers
Emotional intelligence won’t get you published, but it will help you write characters who feel real and craft emotional arcs that resonate. Learn how the ability-based model of emotional inte…
emotethis.net
January 11, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Emotional intelligence won’t get you published.
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
But it might help you write something worth publishing.
What Emotional Intelligence Really Means for Fiction Writers emotethis.net/what-emotion...
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #WriteSky
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
Said this to a client today, and he said he needed to hear it. So I'll say it to you, too: First drafts are allowed to be bad. We can make them good later. #Writing #WritingTips
January 10, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Said this to a client today, and he said he needed to hear it. So I'll say it to you, too: First drafts are allowed to be bad. We can make them good later. #Writing #WritingTips
I'll probably cut this side character though.
January 10, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I'll probably cut this side character though.
I've been itching to do so many projects that have been outlined over the last three years, but of course I'm hyper-focused on what I outlined two days ago.
Picture of a bird without context.
#witingcommunity #amwriting
Picture of a bird without context.
#witingcommunity #amwriting
January 10, 2026 at 3:36 PM
I've been itching to do so many projects that have been outlined over the last three years, but of course I'm hyper-focused on what I outlined two days ago.
Picture of a bird without context.
#witingcommunity #amwriting
Picture of a bird without context.
#witingcommunity #amwriting
Impostor Syndrome. I have it. You (might) have it. Everyone (probably) has it to some degree. Want to take the free test that started it all? paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestan...
More info in my reply...
More info in my reply...
paulineroseclance.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Impostor Syndrome. I have it. You (might) have it. Everyone (probably) has it to some degree. Want to take the free test that started it all? paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestan...
More info in my reply...
More info in my reply...
From Beans of Anafi.
Funny...I can only think of one of my books that doesn't have water of some sort, be it ocean, lake, rain, or floods.
Funny...I can only think of one of my books that doesn't have water of some sort, be it ocean, lake, rain, or floods.
January 9, 2026 at 6:57 PM
From Beans of Anafi.
Funny...I can only think of one of my books that doesn't have water of some sort, be it ocean, lake, rain, or floods.
Funny...I can only think of one of my books that doesn't have water of some sort, be it ocean, lake, rain, or floods.
Working on site authorizations is suddenly the most painful part of my academic journey. Seems like everything else is coming together just fine, but this one thing--a damn letter--is killing me.
So...why not procrastinate by #writing? Yes?
Okay.
#writingcommunity #amwriting
So...why not procrastinate by #writing? Yes?
Okay.
#writingcommunity #amwriting
January 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Working on site authorizations is suddenly the most painful part of my academic journey. Seems like everything else is coming together just fine, but this one thing--a damn letter--is killing me.
So...why not procrastinate by #writing? Yes?
Okay.
#writingcommunity #amwriting
So...why not procrastinate by #writing? Yes?
Okay.
#writingcommunity #amwriting
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
I sadly have no character/story art, but I love looking at others’ art!
That said, I’m not a fan of moodboards or agent guides being substituted (or supplemented) for good old-fashioned pitches during pitch events. That’s just me, & it seems I’m in the minority
#BluePit #BluePitHype #WriteSky
That said, I’m not a fan of moodboards or agent guides being substituted (or supplemented) for good old-fashioned pitches during pitch events. That’s just me, & it seems I’m in the minority
#BluePit #BluePitHype #WriteSky
Welcome to the 2nd day of #BluePitHype!
DAY TWO: Art Share
Share your character art, concept art, sketches, and/or mood boards! (No AI images) Be sure to add Alt Text to your images!
4 days left until #BluePit on Jan 13th!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Writers #AmQuerying #GameDev #Comics #TTRPG
DAY TWO: Art Share
Share your character art, concept art, sketches, and/or mood boards! (No AI images) Be sure to add Alt Text to your images!
4 days left until #BluePit on Jan 13th!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Writers #AmQuerying #GameDev #Comics #TTRPG
January 9, 2026 at 3:32 PM
I sadly have no character/story art, but I love looking at others’ art!
That said, I’m not a fan of moodboards or agent guides being substituted (or supplemented) for good old-fashioned pitches during pitch events. That’s just me, & it seems I’m in the minority
#BluePit #BluePitHype #WriteSky
That said, I’m not a fan of moodboards or agent guides being substituted (or supplemented) for good old-fashioned pitches during pitch events. That’s just me, & it seems I’m in the minority
#BluePit #BluePitHype #WriteSky
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
#BluePitHype #BluePit
DAY ONE: Introductions
I'm Jou Montfort, and I write #fantasy and #Romantasy. I've been working in my writing for 20 years. I now have two #wip novels: one for querying, and one for my website.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying
DAY ONE: Introductions
I'm Jou Montfort, and I write #fantasy and #Romantasy. I've been working in my writing for 20 years. I now have two #wip novels: one for querying, and one for my website.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying
January 9, 2026 at 9:11 AM
#BluePitHype #BluePit
DAY ONE: Introductions
I'm Jou Montfort, and I write #fantasy and #Romantasy. I've been working in my writing for 20 years. I now have two #wip novels: one for querying, and one for my website.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying
DAY ONE: Introductions
I'm Jou Montfort, and I write #fantasy and #Romantasy. I've been working in my writing for 20 years. I now have two #wip novels: one for querying, and one for my website.
www.joumontfort.com/tales-of-the...
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #AmQuerying
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
Hello #BluePitHype! Name's Gus, I'm a bi Greek scifi & fantasy author and I'm currently writing draft 2 of #Defiler, my debut novel about a girl crossing the desert of her planet where the sun never sets in order to meet the God that created this world
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Welcome to the first day of #BluePitHype! It's only 5 days to #BluePit on January 13th! So, join us for our Q&A!
DAY ONE: Introductions
Tell us who you are! Make some new friends!
We can't wait to meet you and your stories!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #GameDev #TTRPG #Comic #AmQuerying
DAY ONE: Introductions
Tell us who you are! Make some new friends!
We can't wait to meet you and your stories!
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity #GameDev #TTRPG #Comic #AmQuerying
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Hello #BluePitHype! Name's Gus, I'm a bi Greek scifi & fantasy author and I'm currently writing draft 2 of #Defiler, my debut novel about a girl crossing the desert of her planet where the sun never sets in order to meet the God that created this world
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
I'm not a mood board person but I did paint a scene from The Widening Gyre with the intention of painting a few more...until LIFE gave me a slight turn. 24x36, acrylic on canvas.
"As she reached the edge of the Hollows, she stopped, her gaze falling on the desolate Wastelands."
#BluePitHype
"As she reached the edge of the Hollows, she stopped, her gaze falling on the desolate Wastelands."
#BluePitHype
January 9, 2026 at 2:30 PM
I'm not a mood board person but I did paint a scene from The Widening Gyre with the intention of painting a few more...until LIFE gave me a slight turn. 24x36, acrylic on canvas.
"As she reached the edge of the Hollows, she stopped, her gaze falling on the desolate Wastelands."
#BluePitHype
"As she reached the edge of the Hollows, she stopped, her gaze falling on the desolate Wastelands."
#BluePitHype
Learning to care for Mom in home hospice had been an adventure. As she naps, I can write more. Take a break, get pills, make lunch...write a bit more. I'm wondering how much this will affect my prose in the end. Death and dying has only recently come in to my life.
January 9, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Learning to care for Mom in home hospice had been an adventure. As she naps, I can write more. Take a break, get pills, make lunch...write a bit more. I'm wondering how much this will affect my prose in the end. Death and dying has only recently come in to my life.
Starting a new social media adventure is a self-esteem nightmare (for me, anyway).
January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Starting a new social media adventure is a self-esteem nightmare (for me, anyway).
Think I needed this shirt growing up. The 70s and 80s were weird for me.
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Think I needed this shirt growing up. The 70s and 80s were weird for me.
Reposted by Benjamin X. Wretlind
An accessible introduction to mathematical infinity for the endlessly curious, Scheinerman's A GUIDE TO INFINITY is now available.
January 8, 2026 at 3:03 PM
An accessible introduction to mathematical infinity for the endlessly curious, Scheinerman's A GUIDE TO INFINITY is now available.
Simply because I have this research in front of me with a deadline, I suddenly feel the need to outline a few novels, and (why not?) revise one.
How do you productively procrastinating?
How do you productively procrastinating?
January 8, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Simply because I have this research in front of me with a deadline, I suddenly feel the need to outline a few novels, and (why not?) revise one.
How do you productively procrastinating?
How do you productively procrastinating?
Writing about how writers write feels odd sometimes. Currently procrastinating my current research by... analyzing why I'm procrastinating. The irony isn't lost on me.
January 8, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Writing about how writers write feels odd sometimes. Currently procrastinating my current research by... analyzing why I'm procrastinating. The irony isn't lost on me.